Verbena plant named `Sunmarila`

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a Verbena plant which has a broad spreading growth habit and long stems. The plant forms flowers in clusters with a great profusion of blooms. The blooming period is late April to November and flowering duration is long. The entire plant remains in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flower size is large and the petals of the flowers are brilliant purple in color. The plant is highly tolerant to heat, and exhibits a high resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew, and a high resistance to rain is exhibited.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Verbena hybrida plant obtained from crossing a Verbena hybrida named `Amour White` (non-patented in the United States) (♀) and a wild type of Verbena plant Verbena peruviana (♂) native to Brazil.

The Verbena is a very popular plant and is used for flower bedding and potting in the summer season. There are only a few varieties of the verbena plant which have a spreading growth habit, much branching, and a large number of flowers in a cluster which have a high resistance to rain, heat, cold and diseases. Accordingly, this invention was aimed at obtaining a new variety having a spreading growth habit, strong branching, a large number of flowers in a cluster, a flower of large diameter, a high tolerance to heat and cold, resistance to diseases and pests, and also having brilliant purple colored petals.

The new variety of Verbena plant according to this invention originated from crossing a Verbena hybrida named `Amour White` (♀) and a wild type of Verbena plant Verbena peruviana (♂) native to Brazil.

Initially, 38 seedlings were obtained in the autumn of 1994, from crossing `Amour White` as the female parent and a wild type of verbena plant (Verbena peruviana f. rosea) as the pollen parent in May of 1994. From this crossing, 3 seedlings were selected in view of their spreading growth habit and were propagated by cuttings, and then were grown as a trial in flower beds and planters beginning in the spring of 1995. Finally in the autumn of 1995 the botanical characteristics were examined, using the similar varieties `Sunmariba` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,801) and `Derby Salmon Rose` (non-patented in the United States) for comparison, one seedling was selected. As a result, it was concluded that this Verbena hybrida is distinguishable from any other variety, whose existence is known to us, and is uniform and stable in its characteristics. The new variety of verbena plant of the present invention was named `Sunmarila`.

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with the Horticultural Color Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England (R.H.S. Colour Chart), and the Inter-Society color Council-Nation Bureau of Standard Color Name (I.S.C.C.-N.B.S. Color Name). A color chart based on The Japan Color Standard for Horticultural Plant (J.H.S. Color Chart) is also added for reference.

`Amour White` was used as the female parent when obtaining this new variety `Sunmarila`. `Amour White` has an erect growth habit and is publicly available.

The pollen parent used in obtaining this new `Sunmarila` variety was a wild type of Verbena peruviana native to South Brazil. This wild type of verbena plant is presently maintained at the Hakushu Nursery Center of SUNTORY Ltd., 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan. The main botanical characteristics of this pollen parent are as follows when grown at the same location.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Spreading.

Plant height.--10-20 cm.

Plant width.--100-150 cm.

Stem:

Diameter.--1.0-2.0 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Present.

Branching.--Medium.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Length of internode.--3.0-4.0 cm.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite.

Shape of blade.--Hastate.

Length.--3.0-4.0 cm.

Width.--1.5-2.0 cm.

Depth of incision.--Shallow.

Color.--Moderate olive green (R.H.S. 146A, J.H.S. 3509).

Pubescence.--Slight.

Flower:

Facing direction.--Upward.

Outward curvature of petal.--Slightly curved.

Diameter.--2.0-3.0 cm.

Height.--20-30 mm.

Color.--Strong reddish purple (R.H.S. 77B, J.H.S. 8911).

Color presentation.--Substantially even.

Overlapping of petals.--Opened.

Flower cluster.--30-40 mm in length; and 50-60 mm in diameter.

Calyx.--1.5-2.0 cm in length.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.--Absent.

Peduncle.--1-2 mm in thickness; and 3.0-5.0 cm in length.

Number of flowers.--Plentiful (10-14)

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 4 stamens.

Flower fragrance.--Absent

Flowering duration.--Short.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to diseases and pests, and tolerance to heat and cold.

The `Sunmariba` variety was used as a comparison for this new `Sunmarila` variety. The maine botanical characteristics of `Sunmariba` are as follows when grown at the Hakushu Nursery Center of SUNTORY Ltd., 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanachi-ken, Japan.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Spreading.

Plant height.--10-20 cm.

Plant width.--60-80 cm.

Growth.--Very vigorous with abundant branching and a great profusion of blooms with the entire plant remaining in bloom for an extended period of time.

Stem:

Diameter.--3.0-4.0 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Present.

Branching.--Abundant.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Length of internode.--2.0-4.0 cm.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite.

Shape of blade.--Hastate.

Length.--4.0-5.0 cm.

Width.--2.0-3.0 cm.

Depth of incision.--Shallow.

Color.--Moderate olive green (R.H.S. 146A, J.H.S. 3508).

Pubescence.--Slight.

Flower:

Facing direction.--Upward.

Outward curvature of petal.--Slightly curved.

Diameter.--1.5-2.0 cm.

Height.--20-30 mm.

Color.--Vivid reddish purple (R.H.S. 80A, J.H.S. 8906).

Color presentation.--Substantially even.

Overlapping of petals.--Opened.

Flower cluster.--30-50 mm in length; and 40-60 mm in diameter.

Calyx.--1.0-2.0 cm in length.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.--Absent.

Peduncle.--1-2 mm in thickness; and 4.0-5.0 cm in length.

Number of flowers.--Plentiful (13-17).

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 4 stamens.

Flower fragrance.--Absent.

Flowering duration.--Long.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to diseases and pests, particularly powdery mildew. High tolerance to heat and cold. High tolerance to rain.

The `Derby Salmon Rose` variety was used as a comparison for this new `Sunmarila` variety. The main botanical characteristics of `Derby Salmon Rose` are as follows when grown at the Hakushu Nursery Center of SUNTORY Ltd., 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Semi-erect.

Plant width.--Medium.

Stem:

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Absent.

Branching.--Medium.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Length of internode.--Medium.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite.

Length.--Medium.

Width.--Medium.

Configuration.--Oblong-lanceolate.

Blade incision.--Absent.

Color.--Dark green.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Flower:

Facing direction.--Upward.

Outward curvature of petal.--None.

Diameter.--Large

Height.--Medium.

Color.--Vivid red (R.H.S. 52A, J.H.S. 0106).

Color presentation.--Substantially even.

Overlapping of petals.--Closed.

Flower cluster.--Medium in length; and medium in diameter.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.--Present.

Peduncle.--Medium in thickness; and medium in length.

Number of flowers.--Medium.

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 5 stamens.

Flower fragrance.--Absent.

Flowering duration.--Medium.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: Weak resistance to diseases, heat and cold. Moderate resistance to pests.

This new variery of Verbena plant `Sunmarila` was asexually reproduced by cuttings at the Hakushu Nursery Center of SUNTORY Ltd., 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan, and the homogeneity and stability thereof were confirmed. The characteristics of the new variety are fully stable following such asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

This new variety of Verbena plant has a broad spreading growth habit and long stems. The plant is well branched and abundantly forms flowers in a cluster. The blooms are present in profusion. The blooming period is late April to November and the flowering duration is long. The entire plant remains in bloom for an extended period of time. The flower size is large and the petal coloration of the flowers is brilliant purple. The plant is highly tolerant to heat, exhibits a high resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew, and a high resistance to rain is exhibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the `Sunmarila` plant of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flowers of the `Sunmarila` plant of the present invention.

As indicated hereafter, the actual flower coloration is more purple than illustrated in the photographs and the actual foliage coloration is more olive-green than illustrated in the photographs. Accordingly, reference should be made to the color chart information provided hereafter when specifying flower coloration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of Verbena plant, `Sunmarila` are as follows when grown at the Hakushu Nursery Center of SUNTORY Ltd., 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Spreading.

Plant width.--Broad; approximately 60-70 cm.

Plant height.--Low; approximately 11-12 cm.

Stem:

Diameter.--Medium; 1.1-2.1 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Absent.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Branching.--A moderate level of branching is present. Each single branch commonly produces two additional branches. More specifically, a single branch commonly becomes three branches and those three branches commonly produce nine branches, etc.

Color.--R.H.S. 145A, J.H.S. 3512.

Subterranean stem.--Absent. But when the stems contact the surface of soil, the nodes take root in the ground and the plant growth thereby spreads.

Length of internode.--Medium; 1.8-3.4 cm.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite.

Shape of blade.--Ovate.

Depth of blade incision.--Shallow.

Blade margin.--Serrate.

Length.--Medium; 1.6-3.3 cm.

Width.--Medium; 1.5-2.1 cm.

Color.--Moderate olive green (R.H.S. 146A, J.H.S. 3508) on the upper surface and moderate yellow green (R.H.S. 144A and J.H.S. 3513) on the under surface.

Leaf apex.--Acute.

Leaf base.--Petiolate.

Pubescence.--Slight.

Petiole.--Present.

Diameter of petiole.--Medium; 1.0-2.0 mm.

Length of petiole.--Short; 1.2-2.7 mm.

Petiole color.--R.H.S. 144A, J.H.S. 3507.

Flower:

Shape of cluster.--Obovate.

Length of flower cluster.--Medium to long; 50-58 mm.

Diameter of flower cluster.--Medium to large; 52-60 mm.

Facing direction.--Upward.

Outward curvature of petal.--Slightly curved.

Diameter.--Large; 1.7-2.2 cm.

Height.--High to medium; 2.0-2.1 cm.

Color.--Brilliant purple (R.H.S. 81C, J.H.S. 8604) on the upper surface and brilliant purple (R.H.S. 82C, J.H.S. 8604) on the under surface. The petal coloration fades slightly with age.

Eye color.--Absent.

Variegation on petal.--Absent.

Color presentation.--Substantially even.

Overlapping of petals.--Closed.

Incision of petal.--Present.

Number of petals.--Medium; 5.

Sepals.--Tubular in configuration.

Length of calyx.--Long; 1.5-1.6 cm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.--Absent.

Color of anther.--Yellow green.

Diameter of peduncle.--Medium; 1.2-1.7 mm.

Length of peduncle.--Medium; 53-87 mm.

Color of peduncle.--Strong yellow green, R.H.S. 144A, J.H.S. 3507.

Number of flowers.--Plentiful; approximately 15±2.

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 4 stamens.

Flower fragrance.--Absent.

Flowering time.--Early. When planted during March, the plant commonly blossoms from April to November. A bloom cluster commonly is present for approximately 2 to 3 weeks, and an individual bloom within the cluster commonly lasts for approximately 7 to 10 days on the plant.

Flower bearing.--In a cluster (as illustrated).

Pollen.--Brilliant greenish-yellow (R.H.S. 6C, J.H.S. 2704) in coloration.

Flowering duration.--Long.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to diseases and pests, particularly powdery mildew. High tolerance to heat and drought. High tolerance to rain. Medium tolerance to cold.

This new variety of Verbena plant is most suitable for flower bedding and potting, particularly in planters, and is further excellent for use as a ground cover. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant having the following combination of characteristics:(a) exhibits a broad spreading growth habit with long stems, (b) forms in abundance clusters of attractive brilliant purple blossoms that remain on the plant for an extended period of time, and (c) exhibits good tolerance to rain, heat, drought, and diseases;substantially as shown and described. 